Radio frequency-based repeater in a waveguide system

ABSTRACT

A system of a machine includes a network of a plurality of nodes distributed throughout the machine. Each of the nodes is operable to communicate through a plurality of electromagnetic signals. A controller is operable to communicate with the network of nodes through the electromagnetic signals. The system also includes a plurality of waveguides configured to guide transmission of the electromagnetic signals between the controller and one or more of the nodes. A radio frequency-based repeater is coupled to at least two of the waveguides in the network between the controller and at least one of the nodes. The radio frequency-based repeater is configured to receive a portion of the electromagnetic signals in a first waveguide and boost a transmission characteristic of the portion of the electromagnetic signals in a second waveguide.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to electromagnetic communication, and moreparticularly to a radio frequency-based repeater in a waveguide system.

As control and health monitoring systems become more complex, theinterconnect count between system components increases, which alsoincreases failure probabilities. With the increase in interconnects,troubleshooting systems may not always identify the contributing faultycomponents reliably when system anomalies occur. Failures associatedwith such systems are often due to connection system failures,including: sensors, wiring, and connectors that provide interconnection(e.g., signal and power) between all components.

Difficulties can arise when troubleshooting these complex interconnectedsystems, especially when the systems include subsystems havingelectronic components connected to control system devices, such asactuators, valves or sensors. For example, a noisy signal in a sensorreading could be caused by a faulty interface circuit in the electroniccomponent, a faulty wire or short(s) in the cable system, and/or afaulty or intermittent sensor. The time associated with identifying afaulty component quickly and accurately affects operational reliability.

Detailed knowledge of machinery operation for control or healthmonitoring requires sensing systems that need information from locationsthat are sometimes difficult to access due to moving parts, internaloperating environment or machine configuration. The access limitationsmake wire routing bulky, expensive and vulnerable to interconnectfailures. The sensor and interconnect operating environments for desiredsensor locations often exceed the capability of the interconnectsystems. In some cases, cable cost, volume and weight exceed the desiredlimits for practical applications.

Application of electromagnetic sensor and effector technologies toaddress the wiring constraints faces the challenge of providing reliablecommunications in a potentially unknown environment with potentialinterference from internal or external sources. Large-scale deploymentsof multiple sensors and/or effectors with varying signal path lengthsfurther increases the challenges of normal operation and fault detectionin a network of connected nodes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

According to one embodiment, a system of a machine includes a network ofa plurality of nodes distributed throughout the machine. Each of thenodes is operable to communicate through a plurality of electromagneticsignals. A controller is operable to communicate with the network ofnodes through the electromagnetic signals. The system also includes aplurality of waveguides configured to guide transmission of theelectromagnetic signals between the controller and one or more of thenodes. A radio frequency-based repeater is coupled to at least two ofthe waveguides in the network between the controller and at least one ofthe nodes. The radio frequency-based repeater is configured to receive aportion of the electromagnetic signals in a first waveguide and boost atransmission characteristic of the portion of the electromagneticsignals in a second waveguide.

In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, oras an alternative, further embodiments may include where thetransmission characteristic include one or more of a digitalsignal-to-noise ratio, an analog signal power level, and a refocusedtransmission through a directed antenna.

In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, oras an alternative, further embodiments may include where the radiofrequency-based repeater includes an antenna, a communication interface,a memory, and a processing unit configured to execute a plurality ofinstructions stored in the memory to boost the transmissioncharacteristic of the portion of the electromagnetic signals through thecommunication interface and the antenna.

In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, oras an alternative, further embodiments may include where thecommunication interface includes a software defined radio.

In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, oras an alternative, further embodiments may include where the radiofrequency-based repeater is a passive repeater, and the radiofrequency-based repeater includes a power conditioning circuit and anonboard energy storage system configured to extract and store a portionof energy received from the transmission to power the radiofrequency-based repeater.

In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, oras an alternative, further embodiments may include where the radiofrequency-based repeater is configured to operate using power extractedfrom the transmission based on a signal-to-noise ratio being above athreshold, and the radio frequency-based repeater is configured tooperate using energy stored in the onboard energy storage system basedon the signal-to-noise ratio being below the threshold.

In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, oras an alternative, further embodiments may include where the radiofrequency-based repeater is an active repeater powered by a power sourceother than energy received from the transmission.

According to an embodiment, a system for a gas turbine engine includes anetwork of a plurality of nodes distributed throughout the gas turbineengine. Each of the nodes is associated with at least one sensor oreffector of the gas turbine engine and is operable to communicatethrough a plurality of electromagnetic signals. A controller of the gasturbine engine is operable to communicate with the network of nodesthrough the electromagnetic signals. A plurality of waveguides isconfigured to guide transmission of the electromagnetic signals betweenthe controller and one or more of the nodes. A radio frequency-basedrepeater is coupled to at least two of the waveguides in the networkbetween the controller and at least one of the nodes. The radiofrequency-based repeater is configured to receive a portion of theelectromagnetic signals in a first waveguide and boost a transmissioncharacteristic of the portion of the electromagnetic signals in a secondwaveguide.

In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, oras an alternative, further embodiments may include where one or more ofthe nodes are located at least one of a fan section, a compressorsection, a combustor section and a turbine section of the gas turbineengine, and the at least one sensor is configured to monitor one or moreof a pressure, a temperature, a speed, a position, and a vibration.

In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, oras an alternative, further embodiments may include where the radiofrequency-based repeater is a passive repeater, and the radiofrequency-based repeater includes a power conditioning circuit and anonboard energy storage system configured to extract and store a portionof energy received from the transmission to power the radiofrequency-based repeater, and further where the radio frequency-basedrepeater is configured to operate using power extracted from thetransmission based on a signal-to-noise ratio being above a threshold,and the radio frequency-based repeater is configured to operate usingenergy stored in the onboard energy storage system based on thesignal-to-noise ratio being below the threshold.

According to an embodiment, a method of establishing electromagneticcommunication through a machine includes configuring a network of aplurality of nodes to communicate through a plurality of electromagneticsignals, where the nodes are distributed throughout the machine. Acontroller initiates communication with the network of nodes through theelectromagnetic signals. Transmission of the electromagnetic signals isconfined in a plurality of waveguides between the controller and one ormore of the nodes. A portion of the electromagnetic signals in a firstwaveguide of the plurality of waveguides is received at a radiofrequency-based repeater, where the radio frequency-based repeater iscoupled to at least two of the waveguides in the network between thecontroller and at least one of the nodes. The radio frequency-basedrepeater boosts a transmission characteristic of the portion of theelectromagnetic signals in a second waveguide of the plurality ofwaveguides.

A technical effect of the apparatus, systems and methods is achieved byusing one or more radio frequency-based repeaters in a waveguide systemas described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way.With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numberedalike:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a gas turbine engine as an exampleof a machine;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a guided electromagnetic transmissionnetwork in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a communication path through waveguidesincluding a radio frequency-based repeater configured as an activerepeater in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a communication path through waveguidesincluding a radio frequency-based repeater configured as a passiverepeater in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a radio frequency-based repeater inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a node of a guided electromagnetictransmission network in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method in accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosedapparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification andnot limitation with reference to the Figures.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are related toelectromagnetic communication through and to components of a machine.FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a gas turbine engine 20 as one exampleof a machine as further described herein. The gas turbine engine 20 isdepicted as a two-spool turbofan that generally incorporates a fansection 22, a compressor section 24, a combustor section 26 and aturbine section 28. Alternative engines may include an augmentor section(not shown) among other systems or features. The fan section 22 drivesair along a bypass flow path B in a bypass duct to provide a majority ofthe thrust, while the compressor section 24 drives air along a core flowpath C for compression and communication into the combustor section 26then expansion through the turbine section 28. Although depicted as atwo-spool turbofan gas turbine engine in the disclosed non-limitingembodiment, it should be understood that the concepts described hereinare not limited to use with two-spool turbofans as the teachings may beapplied to other types of turbine engines including three-spoolarchitectures or any other machine that requires sensors to operate withsimilar environmental challenges or constraints. Additionally, theconcepts described herein may be applied to any machine or systemcomprised of control and/or health monitoring systems. Examples caninclude various moderate to high temperature environments, such as glassand metal forming systems, petroleum-oil-and-gas (POG) systems,ground-based turbine for energy generation, nuclear power systems, andtransportation systems.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the exemplary engine 20 generallyincludes a low speed spool 30 and a high speed spool 32 mounted forrotation about an engine central longitudinal axis A relative to anengine static structure 36 via several bearing systems 38. It should beunderstood that various bearing systems 38 at various locations mayalternatively or additionally be provided, and the location of bearingsystems 38 may be varied as appropriate to the application.

The low speed spool 30 generally includes an inner shaft 40 thatinterconnects a fan 42, a first (or low) pressure compressor 44 and afirst (or low) pressure turbine 46. The inner shaft 40 is connected tothe fan 42 through a speed change mechanism, which in exemplary gasturbine engine 20 is illustrated as a geared architecture 48 to drivethe fan 42 at a lower speed than the low speed spool 30. The high speedspool 32 includes an outer shaft 50 that interconnects a second (orhigh) pressure compressor 52 and a second (or high) pressure turbine 54.A combustor 56 is arranged in exemplary gas turbine engine 20 betweenthe high pressure compressor 52 and the high pressure turbine 54. Amid-turbine frame 58 of the engine static structure 36 is arrangedgenerally between the high pressure turbine 54 and the low pressureturbine 46. The mid-turbine frame 58 further supports bearing systems 38in the turbine section 28. The inner shaft 40 and the outer shaft 50 areconcentric and rotate via bearing systems 38 about the engine centrallongitudinal axis A which is collinear with their longitudinal axes.

The core airflow is compressed by the low pressure compressor 44 thenthe high pressure compressor 52, mixed and burned with fuel in thecombustor 56, then expanded over the high pressure turbine 54 and lowpressure turbine 46. The mid-turbine frame 58 includes airfoils 60 whichare in the core airflow path C. The turbines 46, 54 rotationally drivethe respective low speed spool 30 and high speed spool 32 in response tothe expansion. It will be appreciated that each of the positions of thefan section 22, compressor section 24, combustor section 26, turbinesection 28, and fan drive gear system 48 may be varied. For example,gear system 48 may be located aft of combustor section 26 or even aft ofturbine section 28, and fan section 22 may be positioned forward or aftof the location of gear system 48. In direct drive configurations, thegear system 48 can be omitted.

The engine 20 in one example is a high-bypass geared aircraft engine.Low pressure turbine 46 pressure ratio is pressure measured prior toinlet of low pressure turbine 46 as related to the pressure at theoutlet of the low pressure turbine 46 prior to an exhaust nozzle. Asignificant amount of thrust can be provided by the bypass flow B due tothe high bypass ratio. The example low pressure turbine 46 can providethe driving power to rotate the fan section 22 and therefore therelationship between the number of turbine rotors 34 in the low pressureturbine 46 and the number of blades in the fan section 22 can establishincreased power transfer efficiency.

The disclosed example gas turbine engine 20 includes a control andhealth monitoring system 64 (generally referred to as system 64)utilized to monitor component performance and function. The system 64includes a network 65, which is an example of a guided electromagnetictransmission network. The network 65 includes a controller 66 operableto communicate with nodes 68 a, 68 b through electromagnetic signals.The nodes 68 a, 68 b can be distributed throughout the gas turbineengine 20 or other such machine. Node 68 a is an example of an effectornode that can drive one or more effectors/actuators of the gas turbineengine 20. Node 68 b is an example of a sensor node that can interfacewith one or more sensors of the gas turbine engine 20. Nodes 68 a, 68 bcan include processing support circuitry to transmit/receiveelectromagnetic signals between sensors or effectors and the controller66. A coupler 67 can be configured as a splitter between a waveguide 70coupled to the controller 66 and waveguides 71 and 72 configured toestablish guided electromagnetic transmission communication with nodes68 a and 68 b respectively. The coupler 67 can be a simple splitter ormay include a repeater function to condition electromagnetic signalssent between the controller 66 and nodes 68 a, 68 b. In the example ofFIG. 1, a radio frequency-based repeater 76 is interposed between thecoupler 67 and node 68 b, where waveguide 72 is a first waveguidecoupled to the coupler 67 and radio frequency-based repeater 76, andwaveguide 73 is a second waveguide coupled to the radio frequency-basedrepeater 76 and node 68 b. Collectively, waveguides 70, 71, 72, 73 areconfigured to guide transmission of the electromagnetic signals betweenthe controller 66 and one or more of the nodes 68 a, 68 b. Thetransmission media within waveguides 70-73 may include dielectric orgaseous material. The disclosed system 64 may be utilized to controland/or monitor any component function or characteristic of aturbomachine, aircraft component operation, and/or other machines.

Prior control & diagnostic system architectures utilized in variousapplications include centralized system architecture in which theprocessing functions reside in an electronic control module. Redundancyto accommodate failures and continue system operation systems can beprovided with dual channels with functionality replicated in bothcontrol channels. Actuator and sensor communication is accomplishedthrough analog wiring for power, command, position feedback, sensorexcitation and sensor signals. Cables and connections include shieldingto minimize effects caused by electromagnetic interference (EMI). Theuse of analog wiring and the required connections limits application andcapability of such systems due to the ability to locate wires,connectors and electronics in small and harsh environments thatexperience extremes in temperature, pressure, and/or vibration.Exemplary embodiments can use radio frequencies confined to waveguides70-73 in a guided electromagnetic transmission architecture to provideboth electromagnetic signals and power to the individual elements of thenetwork 65. One or more instances of the radio frequency-based repeater76 can propagate signal and power to extend the network 65 with higherthan normal loss elements.

The radio frequency-based repeater 76 can provide a number of functions,such as band limiting acquired noise as an electromagnetic signal istransmitted through waveguides 72-73, boosting a digital signal-to-noise(SNR), boosting an analog signal level power, and refocusingtransmission through a directed antenna. In various embodiments, theradio frequency-based repeater 76 can either be actively powered througha supplemental active power source, such as fixed “wired” leads, orpowered by radio frequency rectification of a continuous electromagneticwave, and thus self-powered. Multiple instances of the radiofrequency-based repeater 76 can be cascaded within the network 65 toaccount for parasitic losses and boost SNR level. The radiofrequency-based repeater 76 thus filters out-of-band coherent andincoherent noise that could potentially disrupt communications or deviceperformance. The radio frequency-based repeater 76 can also be used torefocus electromagnetic energy in the form of radio frequency along thecenter of the waveguides 72-73 to reduce additional parasitic losses.

The use of electromagnetic radiation in the form of radio waves (MHz toGHz) to communicate and power the sensors and effectors using atraditionally complex wired system enables substantial architecturalsimplification, especially as it pertains to size, weight, and power(SWaP). Embodiments of the invention enable extension of a network wherereduced SNR would compromise network performance by trading off datarates for an expansion of the number of nodes and distribution lines;thereby enabling more nodes/sensors, with greater interconnectivity.

Referring to FIG. 2, a guided electromagnetic transmission network 100is depicted as an example expansion of the network 65 of FIG. 1. Theguided electromagnetic transmission network 100 can include thecontroller 66 coupled to coupler 67 through waveguide 170. The coupler67 is further coupled to coupler 67 a through waveguide 171 and tocoupler 67 b through waveguide 172. Couper 67 a is further coupled tothree nodes 68 a through waveguides 173 a, 173 b, 173 c in parallel.Each of the nodes 68 a can interface or be combined with multipleeffectors 102. Coupler 67 b is also coupled to two nodes 68 b throughwaveguides 174 a, 174 b in parallel. Each of the nodes 68 b caninterface or be combined with multiple sensors 104. Although the exampleof FIG. 2 depicts connections to effectors 102 and sensors 104 isolatedto different branches, it will be understood that effectors 102 andsensors 104 can be interspersed with each other and need not be isolatedon dedicated branches of the guided electromagnetic transmission network100. Couplers 67, 67 a, 67 b can be splitters and/or can incorporateinstances of the radio frequency-based repeater 76 of FIG. 1. Further,one or more instances of the radio frequency-based repeater 76 can beinstalled at any of the waveguides 170, 171, 172, 173 a-c, and/or 174a-b depending on the signal requirements of the guided electromagnetictransmission network 100.

Nodes 68 a, 68 b can be associated with particular engine components,actuators or any other machine part from which information andcommunication is performed for monitoring and/or control purposes. Thenodes 68 a, 68 b may contain a single or multiple electronic circuits orsensors configured to communicate over the guided electromagnetictransmission network 100.

The controller 66 can send and receive power and data to and from thenodes 68 a, 68 b. The controller 66 may be located on equipment nearother system components or located remotely as desired to meetapplication requirements.

A transmission path (TP) between the controller 66 and nodes 68 a, 68 bcan be used to send and receive data routed through the controller 66from a control module or other components. The TP may utilize electricalwire, optic fiber, waveguide or any other electromagnetic communicationincluding radio frequency/microwave electromagnetic energy, visible ornon-visible light. The interface between the controller 66 and nodes 68a, 68 b can transmit power and signals.

The example nodes 68 a, 68 b may include radio-frequency identification(RFID) devices along with processing, memory and/or the interfaces toconnect to conventional sensors or effectors, such as solenoids orelectro-hydraulic servo valves. The waveguides 170, 171, 172, 173 a-c,and/or 174 a-b can be shielded paths that support electromagneticcommunication, including, for instance, radio frequency, microwaves,magnetic or optic waveguide transmission. Shielding can be provided suchthat electromagnetic energy or light interference 85 withelectromagnetic signals 86 (shown schematically as arrows) are mitigatedin the guided electromagnetic transmission network 100. Moreover, theshielding provides that the electromagnetic signals 86 are less likelyto propagate into the environment outside the guided electromagnetictransmission network 100 and enable unauthorized access to information.In some embodiments, confined electromagnetic radiation is in the range1-100 GHz. Electromagnetic radiation can be more tightly confined aroundspecific carrier frequencies, such as 3-4.5 GHz, 24 GHz, 60 GHz, or76-77 GHz as examples in the microwave spectrum. A carrier frequency cantransmit electric power, as well as communicate information, to multiplenodes 68 a, 68 b using various modulation and signaling techniques.

The nodes 68 a with effectors 102 may include control devices, such as asolenoid, switch or other physical actuation devices. RFID,electromagnetic or optical devices implemented as the nodes 68 b withsensors 104 can provide information indicative of a physical parameter,such as pressure, temperature, speed, proximity, vibration,identification, and/or other parameters used for identifying, monitoringor controlling component operation. Signals communicated in the guidedelectromagnetic transmission network 100 may employ techniques such aschecksums, hash algorithms, error control algorithms and/or encryptionto mitigate cyber security threats and interference.

The shielding in the guided electromagnetic transmission network 100 canbe provided such that power and communication signals are shielded fromoutside interference, which may be caused by environmentalelectromagnetic or optic interference. Moreover, the shielding preventsintentional interference 85 with communication at each component.Intentional interference 85 may take the form of unauthorized datacapture, data insertion, general disruption and/or any other action thatdegrades system communication. Environmental sources of interference 85may originate from noise generated from proximate electrical systems inother components or machinery along with electrostatic and magneticfields, and/or any broadcast signals from transmitters or receivers.Additionally, pure environmental phenomena, such as cosmic radiofrequency radiation, lightning or other atmospheric effects, couldinterfere with local electromagnetic communications.

It should be appreciated that while the system 64 is explained by way ofexample with regard to a gas turbine engine 20, other machines andmachine designs can be modified to incorporate built-in shielding foreach monitored or controlled components to enable the use of a guidedelectromagnetic transmission network. For example, the system 64 can beincorporated in a variety of harsh environment machines, such as anelevator system, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)systems, manufacturing and processing equipment, a vehicle system, anenvironmental control system, and all the like. As a further example,the system 64 can be incorporated in an aerospace system, such as anaircraft, rotorcraft, spacecraft, satellite, or the like. The disclosedsystem 64 includes the network 65, 100 that enables consistentcommunication with electromagnetic devices, such as the example nodes 68a, 68 b, and removes variables encountered with electromagneticcommunications such as distance between transmitters and receivingdevices, physical geometry in the field of transmission, control overtransmission media such as air or fluids, control over air or fluidcontamination through the use of filtering or isolation and knowledge oftemperature and pressure.

The system 64 provides for a reduction in cable and interconnectingsystems to reduce cost and increases reliability by reducing the numberof physical interconnections. Reductions in cable and connecting systemsfurther provides for a reduction in weight while enabling additionalredundancy without significantly increasing cost. Moreover, additionalsensors can be added without the need for additional wiring andconnections that provide for increased system accuracy and response.Finally, the embodiments enable a “plug-n-play” approach to add a newnode, potentially without a requalification of the entire system butonly the new component; thereby greatly reducing qualification costs andtime.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a communication path 200 throughwaveguides 202 and 204 including a radio frequency-based repeater 76 aconfigured as an active repeater. The communication path 200 can be partof network 65, 100, or another guided electromagnetic transmissionnetwork. The radio frequency-based repeater 76 a is an example of theradio frequency-based repeater 76 of FIG. 1 powered by a power source206 other than energy received from a transmission on waveguides 202,204. For example, the power source 206 can be a battery, asuper-capacitor, an ultra-capacitor, or other source of electricalpower. In the example of FIG. 3, electromagnetic signals can propagatein the waveguides 202, 204 between a source node 208 and a node 68.Source node 208 can be the controller 66 of FIGS. 1 and 2 or a coupler,such as coupler 67, 67 a, 67 b of FIG. 2. As a further example, thesource node 208 can be another instance of repeater 76 in a cascadedconfiguration. The node 68 can be a node 68 a, 68 b of FIGS. 1 and 2,which may include or be further coupled to one or more effectors 102 orsensors 104 of FIG. 2. The radio frequency-based repeater 76 a can usepower from the power source 206 to boost a transmission characteristicof a portion of the electromagnetic signals in one of the waveguides202, 204. For instance, if communication is from source node 208 to node68, the radio frequency-based repeater 76 a can receive a portion ofelectromagnetic signals from source node 208 in waveguide 202 as a firstwaveguide and boost a transmission characteristic of the portion of theelectromagnetic signals in waveguide 204 as a second waveguide. Thus,the portion of the electromagnetic signals received at node 68 can beimproved with an increased digital signal-to-noise ratio, an increasedanalog signal power level, and/or a refocused transmission throughwaveguide 204 for reduced noise/parasitic effects. Although the exampleof FIG. 3 depicts a 2-port configuration to support connections with twowaveguides 202, 204, it will be understood that additional ports can beadded to further split transmissions in multiple waveguides, such as theconfiguration of couplers 67, 67 a, 67 b of FIG. 2 and beyond.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a communication path 250 throughwaveguides 202 and 204 including a radio frequency-based repeater 76 bconfigured as a passive repeater. The communication path 250 can be partof network 65, 100, or another guided electromagnetic transmissionnetwork. The radio frequency-based repeater 76 b is an example of theradio frequency-based repeater 76 of FIG. 1 powered by a powerextraction circuit 252. The power extraction circuit 252 extracts powerfrom electromagnetic transmissions in waveguide 202 to provide power tocircuitry of the radio frequency-based repeater 76 b. The powerextraction circuit 252 can be a passive rectifier including a diode 254in series with a capacitor 256 and ground 258. For example, the powerextraction circuit 252 can be a half-wave rectifier that extracts powerfrom electromagnetic signals received in a first waveguide 202 whilealso boosting a transmission characteristic of the portion of theelectromagnetic signals in a second waveguide 204, where electromagneticsignals propagate in the waveguides 202, 204 between a source node 208and a node 68.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the radio frequency-based repeater 76 bdepicted in greater detail. The radio frequency-based repeater 76 b caninclude an antenna 260, a communication interface 262, a memory 264, anda processing unit 266 configured to execute a plurality of instructionsstored in the memory 264 to boost a transmission characteristic of aportion of electromagnetic signals through the communication interface262 and the antenna 260. The antenna 260 can be a directional antennaand may include impedance matching to an interfacing environment, e.g.,a waveguide medium of waveguides 202, 204 of FIG. 4. The communicationinterface 262 can be a software defined radio or other protocol tosupport communication using electromagnetic signals. The memory 264 mayinclude random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), or otherelectronic, optical, magnetic, or any other computer readable mediumonto which is stored data and algorithms in a non-transitory form. Theprocessing unit 266 can be any type or combination of central processingunit (CPU), including one or more of: a microprocessor, a digital signalprocessor (DSP), a microcontroller, an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the likesupported in the expected operating environment of the radiofrequency-based repeater 76 b.

The radio frequency-based repeater 76 b can also include a powerconditioning circuit 270 and an onboard energy storage system 272configured to extract and store a portion of energy received from atransmission to power the radio frequency-based repeater 76 b. Forexample, where the available power in electromagnetic signals receivedin waveguide 202 of FIG. 4 is low or intermittent, energy stored in theonboard energy storage system 272 can be used to power the radiofrequency-based repeater 76 b. When excess energy is available in theelectromagnetic signals received in waveguide 202, the onboard energystorage system 272 can be recharged. The onboard energy storage system272 may include a battery, a super-capacitor, an ultra-capacitor, orother source of electrical power.

The radio frequency-based repeater 76 b can be configured to operateusing power extracted from transmissions based on determining that asignal-to-noise ratio is above a threshold such that signal quality isnot substantially degraded by extracting energy from the transmissions.The radio frequency-based repeater 76 b can also be configured tooperate using energy stored in the onboard energy storage system 272based on determining that the signal-to-noise ratio is below thethreshold such that energy extraction from the transmissions may resultin lossy/noisy data. The threshold can be determined based on analysisof acceptable signal quality in the associated network, such as network65 of FIG. 1 and/or guided electromagnetic transmission network 100 ofFIG. 2. Thus, simultaneous transmission of electromagnetic signal andpower enables the radio frequency-based repeater 76 b to capturesufficient energy to power itself and boost the signal when the SNRdrops to or falls below a critical value; and further retransmit thesignal at a boosted SNR. The radio frequency-based repeater 76 b can beactively powered when a power source is available or scavenge low powerfrom energy transmission through the waveguide 202 of FIG. 4.

The radio frequency-based repeater 76 a of FIG. 3 may include theantenna 260, communication interface 262, memory 264, and processingunit 266 but exclude the power conditioning circuit 270 and/or onboardenergy storage system 272. In high availability embodiments, the radiofrequency-based repeater 76 a of FIG. 3 may include the powerconditioning circuit 270 and onboard energy storage system 272 forbackup power support in case of a power issue with the power source 206of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the node 68 of FIGS. 3-4 according to anexample. The node 68 can include the antenna 260, communicationinterface 262, memory 264, processing unit 266, power conditioningcircuit 270 and onboard energy storage system 272 as previouslydescribed with respect to FIG. 5. The node 68 also includes aninput/output interface 280 that can be coupled to one or more of theeffectors 102 and/or sensors 104 of FIG. 2. The input/output interface280 can present a wired interface to enable coupling with existingwire-based devices. In some embodiments, one or more of the effectors102 and/or sensors 104 can be integrated within the node 68. Theinput/output interface 280 may provide interfaces for particular typesof devices, such as capacitive-based devices, voltage-based devices,resistive-based devices, impedance-based devices, current-based devices,and the like. The processing unit 266 can convert values between thecommunication interface 262 and the input/output interface 280 tosupport differences in addressing and formatting of data. For example,the communication interface 262 can be tuned to respond to a particularfrequency or frequencies associated with the node 68. The processingunit 266 can detect the transmission and enable the transmission to passthrough to the input/output interface 280 or perform signal conditioningas needed. For instance, the processing unit 266 may perform digitalfiltering and use digital-to-analog and/or analog-to-digital convertersas needed to digitally process analog data.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method 300 of establishingelectromagnetic communication through a machine, such as the gas turbineengine 20 of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment. The method 300 ofFIG. 7 is described in reference to FIGS. 1-6 and may be performed withan alternate order and include additional steps. For purposes ofexplanation, the method 300 is primarily described in reference to FIG.1 but can also be implemented on the guided electromagnetic transmissionnetwork 100 of FIG. 2 and other network variations and a variety ofmachines.

At block 301, a network 65 of a plurality of nodes 68 a, 68 b can beconfigured to communicate through a plurality of electromagneticsignals, where the nodes 68 a, 68 b are distributed throughout amachine, such as the gas turbine engine 20. Multiple nodes 68 a, 68 bcan be used in a complete system 64 to take advantage of architecturescalability. Each of the nodes 68 a, 68 b can be associated with atleast one effector 102 or senor 104 of the gas turbine engine 20. Forexample, one or more of the nodes 68 a, 68 b can be located at least oneof a fan section 22, a compressor section 24, a combustor section 26,and/or a turbine section 28 of the gas turbine engine 20.

At block 302, a controller 66 can initiate communication with thenetwork 65 of nodes 68 a, 68 b through the electromagnetic signals, suchas electromagnetic signals 86. Specific tones can be used to targetdesired end-points in the network 65.

At block 303, transmission of the electromagnetic signals is confined ina plurality of waveguides 70-73 between the controller 66 and one ormore of the nodes 68 a, 68 b. The waveguides 70-73 can include awaveguide medium, such as a gas or dielectric. The waveguide medium canbe a fluid used by the machine, such as fuel, oil or other fluid in thegas turbine engine 20. Alternatively, the waveguide medium can be anengineered material to support electromagnetic communication.

At block 304, a portion of the electromagnetic signals can be receivedin a first waveguide 72 of the plurality of waveguides 70-73 at a radiofrequency-based repeater 76, where the radio frequency-based repeater 76is coupled to at least two of the waveguides 70-73 in the network 65between the controller 66 and at least one of the nodes 68 a, 68 b.

At block 305, the radio frequency-based repeater 76 can boost atransmission characteristic of the portion of the electromagneticsignals in a second waveguide 73 of the plurality of waveguides 70-73.The transmission characteristic can include one or more of a digitalsignal-to-noise ratio, an analog signal power level, and a refocusedtransmission through a directed antenna, such as antenna 260 of FIG. 5.A transmission path of the network 65 can be integrally formed in/on acomponent of the machine, such as a different section of the gas turbineengine 20.

The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associatedwith measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipmentavailable at the time of filing the application. For example, “about”can include a range of ±8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the presentdisclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,element components, and/or groups thereof.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to anexemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents maybe substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made toadapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the presentdisclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof.Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited tothe particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated forcarrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosurewill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

1. A system of a machine, the system comprising: a network of aplurality of nodes distributed throughout the machine, each of the nodesoperable to communicate through a plurality of electromagnetic signals;a controller operable to communicate with the network of nodes throughthe electromagnetic signals; a plurality of waveguides configured toguide transmission of the electromagnetic signals between the controllerand one or more of the nodes; and a radio frequency-based repeatercoupled to at least two of the waveguides in the network between thecontroller and at least one of the nodes, the radio frequency-basedrepeater configured to receive a portion of the electromagnetic signalsin a first waveguide, boost a transmission characteristic of the portionof the electromagnetic signals in a second waveguide, and focustransmission in the second waveguide through a directed antenna.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the transmission characteristic comprises oneor more of a digital signal-to-noise ratio and an analog signal powerlevel, and wherein the focused transmission is directed along a centerof the second waveguide through the directed antenna.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the radio frequency-based repeater comprises acommunication interface, a memory, and a processing unit configured toexecute a plurality of instructions stored in the memory to boost thetransmission characteristic of the portion of the electromagneticsignals through the communication interface and the directed antenna. 4.The system of claim 3, wherein the communication interface comprises asoftware defined radio.
 5. The system of claim 3, wherein the radiofrequency-based repeater is a passive repeater, and the radiofrequency-based repeater comprises a power conditioning circuit and anonboard energy storage system configured to extract and store a portionof energy received from the transmission to power the radiofrequency-based repeater.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the radiofrequency-based repeater is configured to operate using power extractedfrom the transmission based on a signal-to-noise ratio being above athreshold, and the radio frequency-based repeater is configured tooperate using energy stored in the onboard energy storage system basedon the signal-to-noise ratio being below the threshold.
 7. The system ofclaim 3, wherein the radio frequency-based repeater is an activerepeater powered by a power source other than energy received from thetransmission.
 8. A system for a gas turbine engine, the systemcomprising: a network of a plurality of nodes distributed throughout thegas turbine engine, each of the nodes associated with at least onesensor or effector of the gas turbine engine and operable to communicatethrough a plurality of electromagnetic signals; a controller of the gasturbine engine operable to communicate with the network of nodes throughthe electromagnetic signals; a plurality of waveguides configured toguide transmission of the electromagnetic signals between the controllerand one or more of the nodes; and a radio frequency-based repeatercoupled to at least two of the waveguides in the network between thecontroller and at least one of the nodes, the radio frequency-basedrepeater configured to receive a portion of the electromagnetic signalsin a first waveguide, boost a transmission characteristic of the portionof the electromagnetic signals in a second waveguide, and focustransmission in the second waveguide through a directed antenna.
 9. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein one or more of the nodes are located at leastone of a fan section, a compressor section, a combustor section and aturbine section of the gas turbine engine, and the at least one sensoris configured to monitor one or more of a pressure, a temperature, aspeed, a position, and a vibration.
 10. The system of claim 8, whereinthe transmission characteristic comprises one or more of a digitalsignal-to-noise ratio and an analog signal power level, and wherein thefocused transmission is directed along a center of the second waveguidethrough the directed antenna.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein theradio frequency-based repeater comprises a communication interface, amemory, and a processing unit configured to execute a plurality ofinstructions stored in the memory to boost the transmissioncharacteristic of the portion of the electromagnetic signals through thecommunication interface and the directed antenna.
 12. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the radio frequency-based repeater is a passiverepeater, and the radio frequency-based repeater comprises a powerconditioning circuit and an onboard energy storage system configured toextract and store a portion of energy received from the transmission topower the radio frequency-based repeater, and further wherein the radiofrequency-based repeater is configured to operate using power extractedfrom the transmission based on a signal-to-noise ratio being above athreshold, and the radio frequency-based repeater is configured tooperate using energy stored in the onboard energy storage system basedon the signal-to-noise ratio being below the threshold.
 13. The systemof claim 11, wherein the radio frequency-based repeater is an activerepeater powered by a power source other than energy received from thetransmission.
 14. A method of establishing electromagnetic communicationthrough a machine, the method comprising: configuring a network of aplurality of nodes to communicate through a plurality of electromagneticsignals, wherein the nodes are distributed throughout the machine;initiating communication, by a controller, with the network of nodesthrough the electromagnetic signals; guiding transmission of theelectromagnetic signals in a plurality of waveguides between thecontroller and one or more of the nodes; receiving a portion of theelectromagnetic signals in a first waveguide of the plurality ofwaveguides at a radio frequency-based repeater, wherein the radiofrequency-based repeater is coupled to at least two of the waveguides inthe network between the controller and at least one of the nodes;boosting, by the radio frequency-based repeater, a transmissioncharacteristic of the portion of the electromagnetic signals in a secondwaveguide of the plurality of waveguides; and focusing transmission inthe second waveguide through a directed antenna.
 15. The method of claim14, wherein the transmission characteristic comprises one or more of adigital signal-to-noise ratio and an analog signal power level, andwherein the focused transmission is directed along a center of thesecond waveguide through the directed antenna.
 16. The method of claim14, wherein the radio frequency-based repeater comprises a communicationinterface, a memory, and a processing unit configured to execute aplurality of instructions stored in the memory to boost the transmissioncharacteristic of the portion of the electromagnetic signals through thecommunication interface and the directed antenna.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the communication interface comprises a softwaredefined radio.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the radiofrequency-based repeater is a passive repeater, and the radiofrequency-based repeater comprises a power conditioning circuit and anonboard energy storage system configured to extract and store a portionof energy received from the transmission to power the radiofrequency-based repeater.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the radiofrequency-based repeater is configured to operate using power extractedfrom the transmission based on a signal-to-noise ratio being above athreshold, and the radio frequency-based repeater is configured tooperate using energy stored in the onboard energy storage system basedon the signal-to-noise ratio being below the threshold.
 20. The methodof claim 16, wherein the radio frequency-based repeater is an activerepeater powered by a power source other than energy received from thetransmission.
 21. A system of a machine, the system comprising: anetwork of a plurality of nodes distributed throughout the machine, thenodes operable to communicate through a plurality of electromagneticsignals; a controller operable to communicate with the network of nodesthrough the electromagnetic signals; a plurality of waveguidesconfigured to guide transmission of the electromagnetic signals betweenthe controller and one or more of the nodes; and a radio frequency-basedrepeater coupled to at least two of the waveguides in the networkbetween the controller and at least one of the nodes, wherein the radiofrequency-based repeater is configured to operate using power extractedfrom a received transmission based on a signal-to-noise ratio beingabove a threshold, and the radio frequency-based repeater is configuredto operate using energy stored in an onboard energy storage system basedon the signal-to-noise ratio being below the threshold.